Franklin County

For more than a century, trains passed through meadows, wetlands, and dense woods en route between Jay and West Farmington. After train service was discontinued, the rail company that owned this 15-mile corridor generously agreed to sell it for less than its appraised value — enabling the State and local communities to protect this valuable Read More

The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA) acquired a 278-acre property around Kimball Pond in Vienna. The property includes Kimball Pond’s headwaters (including areas prone to erosion), a tributary stream, and wetlands area. Kimball Pond is home to a popular fishing spot for brook trout. The Kimball Pond area is also home to sustainably harvested forestland. Read More

At 4,049 feet, the summit of Mount Abraham offers panoramic views of Maine’s western mountains. It is one of only 13 peaks in Maine higher than 4,000 feet, all but two of which are now in public ownership. Located near the Appalachian Trail, Mt. Abraham (or Abram as it is known locally) offers one of Read More

Visitors from throughout Maine and beyond have enjoyed hiking up Tumbledown Mountain (3,068 feet) and surrounding peaks for the better part of a century, most of them never knowing that they were crossing private land. Hikers assumed that the land was part of nearby Mt. Blue State Park in Weld, a highly popular park that Read More

Located in the towns of Madrid and Phillips, the Orbeton Stream Project secured a conservation easement in December 2015 on nearly 6,000 acres surrounding Orbeton Stream. The easement ensures sustainable forest management and allows public access for hiking, fishing, paddling, and hunting. The Orbeton Stream Project follows a portion of the Appalachian Trail (AT). The Read More

Location: Just east of Rangeley, Franklin County Description: The Bald Mountain Public Reserved Land is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts during all four seasons. Hike the trail to the summit of Bald Mountain, particularly beautiful during the fall months, and enjoy the views of the surrounding lakes. In the summer, fishermen take to the unit’s Read More

Location: Near Stratton, Franklin County Description: The Bigelow Preserve, the area of which totals 36,000 acres, is bounded on its north by Flagstaff Lake, a 20,000-acre lake, and includes all seven summits of the Bigelow Range, including 4,150-foot West Peak. The Appalachian Trail crosses through part of the Bigelow Preserve. Flagstaff Lake is also part Read More

Location: Ten miles northeast of Eustis, Franklin County Description: The Chain of Ponds Public Reserved Land parcel is comprised of four ponds. Natanis, Bog, Long, and Lower ponds are all connected via channels, creating the “chain.” Visitors to the ponds have the opportunity to recreate on the ponds, including camping on the shores and observing Read More

Location: South of Rangeley, Franklin County Description: The Four Ponds Public Reserved Land unit is 6,000 acres in size and located east of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. The unit is popular for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Part of the Appalachian Trail cuts through, and there are campgrounds at Little Swift River Pond and Sabbath Day Pond. Snowmobilers Read More